William all smiles on first engagement since Kate shared cancer news – hours after brother Harry ‘cut ties’ with Britain
PRINCE William beamed today as he stepped out on royal duties for the first time since Princess Kate shared her cancer news.
The heir’s engagement came just hours after it was revealed Prince Harry was thought to have cut ties with the UK.
Wills, 41, was all smiles as he waved at well-wishers and shook hands with groups in Surrey.
The prince shrugged off the fact his brother had now listed his California mansion as his primary residence.
Harry, 39, put “New Country/State Usually Resident” as America on Companies House filings in June last year.
He previously listed the UK as his primary home.
The change signals a clear break with Britain, after he and wife Meghan Markle quit the Royal Family in 2020.
A Royal Expert last night claimed that Harry had backdated his residency to make a point to his brother and father.
But Wills looked unphased today as he carried on his duties with pride.
The prince is today visiting organisations working with communities and the environment – two topics very close to his and Princess Kate’s hearts.
He’s first meeting with Surplus to Supper, a surplus food redistribution charity, before heading to a youth centre.
While at the Sunbury Cricket Club, in Surrey, Wills was seen chatting to people outside.
He then headed inside, donned an apron and was seen slicing up celery.
Wills, 41, was last seen in public at an event tackling homelessness in Sheffield on March 19 — three days before Kate’s shock revelation.
It was there where he made a touching remark about wanting his wife by his side.
It was announced on Tuesday that the heir would visit Surrey and London this week.
Wills was last spotted at Aston Villa last week – with Prince George at his side.
The father and son duo were seen celebrating Unai Emery‘s side after Ollie Watkins scored the first goal in their clash against Lille at Villa Park on Thursday.
Prince George stepped out in his claret and blue Aston Villa scarf and beamed as he stood beside his proud dad.
The 10-year-old has followed in Prince William’s footsteps and is a keen Aston Villa fan.
The pair chatted and laughed with each other as they watched the match intensely from their seats.
Timeline of Kate’s health battle & recovery
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside
JAN 23: The princess’ hospital stay passes one week
JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital
FEBRUARY 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
MARCH 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
MARCH 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother’s Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out ‘kill notice’ on photo
MARCH 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
MARCH 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor
MARCH 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
MARCH 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
Chief sports writer of the Sunday People, Neil Moxley, asked William: “Your Highness – after the Mostar game we saw you and you said 1-0 was a good result in Europe. How was this?”
“Two-nil would have been better,” joked the Prince.
“Is George now part of the pride?” asked Mr Moxley.
“Oh yes, he’s loving it,” replied the smiling father.
Prior to that Wills was last seen in Sheffield on March 19 – beaming as he met locals working in and impacted by homelessness.
The Prince of Wales, 41, was greeted warmly with cheers from well-wishers as he arrived – taking selfies and waving to fans.
He was snapped beaming as he spoke with parents, carers and young adults from local families as a part of the Homewards programme – which aims to battle homelessness throughout the UK.
The Prince of Wales later joined Homewards Sheffield Local Coalition meeting at the Millennium Gallery – to discuss ways to end homelessness.
They touched on the topic of childhood – to which Wills instantly smiled, before referring to the success of his wife’s projects.
The heir said his wife should have been there at his side today, after her years committed to Early Years projects.
Holding his palms out and grinning, Wills said: “We’re venturing into my wife’s territory. She needs to be sat here to hear this.”
Three days later Princess Kate gave an update on her health.
She gave a heartfelt and emotional video statement revealing she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
In her message, she described how William was a “great source of comfort and reassurance” and described how “as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy” while she completed her treatment.
HARRY'S VISA ROW
The key facts:
Harry claimed in his memoir Spare he has taken coke, weed and magic mushrooms.
A conservative think tank called the Heritage Foundation say the drug use claims pull Harry’s immigration status into question.
They took the US government to court demanding the Duke’s visa application is made public, to see if he lied about his past drug use.
If he did lie, Harry could be in breach of US federal law.
Government lawyers argue say releasing such documents would breach Harry’s privacy and security.
Prince Harry and Meghan sent Kate wishes of “health and healing” after her brave message was broadcast to the world.
But an insider claimed the couple “had no idea” Kate, 42, was undergoing treatment for cancer until she shared the video message.
The pair said: “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”
Harry and Meghan live in a $14 million mansion in Montecito with kids Archie, four, and Lilibet, two.
The 18,000-square-foot pile boasts nine bedrooms and 16 bathrooms as well as a sauna, gym, games room and arcade.
A library, office — which Meghan says she shares with Harry — wine cellar and a five-car garage also feature.
Sprawling gardens showcase a large pool, tennis court, chicken coop and rose gardens.
And there’s even a roomy terrace with a wood-fired stove and barbecue.
It comes as Harry is fighting to stop the release of immigration papers after concerns were raised over his visa application.
The case was brought by a think tank after Harry claimed in his memoir Spare he took coke, weed and magic mushrooms.
The Heritage Foundation argue that releasing the documents will prove if Harry lied about his past drug use on his visa application.
They say that if the Duke did lie, he could be in breach of US federal law and should lose his immigration status.
Lawyers for the US government have argued Harry’s drug claims in the explosive book “is not proof” he actually took them.
The Department for Homeland Security, which oversees immigration, say making Harry’s documents public would breach his privacy.
In its legal filing, DHS said the records at issue are “particularly sensitive” because they would “reveal Harry’s (immigration) status in the United States”.